"How is he?"

I look at my mother and tears well up in my eyes. I wanted to wail, scream and shout but instead, I took a deep breath and swallowed the pain that cloaked me.

"He is more reserved. It's been six months and he barely has spoken to me. I feel like an outcast." I told her leaning heavily against the kitchen counter.

She looked through the kitchen window as if searching for a solution then turn brown eyes so much like mine upon my sad face and said firmly.

"You need to seduce him, get him to see that he is more than his current situation. You need to get your man back from the grip of his past. You need to fight for that man!
No more sitting around being patient and waiting for that psychiatrist to drag him out of that hell hole he is imprisoned in."

A small smile played its way around the corner of my lips as I look at the short voluptuous woman who still had the fire of her youth and who through various tragedies was still a pillar of strength.

"I am not afraid to fight mama. I am afraid I might lose him completely if I approach too soon. Afghanistan tore him apart not only physically but mentally as well."

"Hhhhhmm," she sighed. "I am taking Sari and Joel with me for the weekend and I will be praying for you as I give you the weekend to find your man and bring him home. This battle has to be fought, love."

When she pulled me in her arms I clung to her hoping that I could muster the courage to go against the psychological effects that I could procure by moving on my own accord but my children and I need their father and the more time passed the further he slipped away.

An hour later when my mother and the children were on their way to her house I felt apprehension that caused my palms to sweat and my heart to do some crazy flip-flops beneath my ribcage.

I was grateful that I had a few minutes until Lowel got home from his appointment.

After a shower, I slipped into a comfortable blue silk house dress patterned with tiny tropical leaves of pink, orange, and yellow its long sleeves hugging my slender wrist, and made my way to the living room with a glass of sherry and tried not to expire with fear.

When the door opened and Lowel silhouette was outlined there the last drink of the soothing red liquid went down my throat like bitters and caused me to gag.

I tried to stifle my cough as I watch him place his cane in the umbrella box by the coat rock at the door. I followed his every limping move with my eyes as he tentatively stepped down the rise that led into the living/dining room.

Would he acknowledge me? He barely spoke unless I made the effort and it seems like that was what was about to happen.

"Awm...awww," I stammered trying to find my voice. "My mom stopped by she brought an array of dishes for us, if you want I could fix something for you." I said in a rush, "why not sit down and let me pour you a drink before I go to the kitchen and fix something."

I was babbling. I was nervous. I was scared and he just stood there staring at me. I started to silently question myself.

'What did he see as he stared? Did he see the woman he claimed he would love forever?'

Because even with the scar that marred the lower half of the right side of his face and gave the corner of his lip a slight droop, or the high and low gait he now possessed when he walk my love for him still escalate with every beat of my heart.

I could not stand and wait for him to speak or do anything so I rushed to the kitchen to occupy my flurry of emotions. I leaned heavily against the counter and prayed hard for the strength to win my husband back.

I turned to go to the refrigerator to get some of the plates to heat but the belting of my house dress caught on the drawer that was beneath the counter and now I was standing there with the front of my house dress open and my bare breasts full and lush for the eyes that looked on from the doorway to see.

I quickly tugged at the belting and it made matters worst. I suddenly felt the need to cry and I did not know why. I just tugged and tugged until I felt the familiar heat and the scent of the man I longed for engulf me and I stopped as he undid the belt. I stood there with tears streaming down my face.

"I can't even seduce you right!" I blurted and sniffled.

I was not sure if it was a chuckle I heard but when I looked up at my husband I was lost in a cobalt-blue sea of need. I knew he was conscious of the ugly scars that were tattooed upon his face by the grenade of an enemy, but he was still my bronze attractive 'soulmate'.

I pushed caution to the wind and pulled him to me and kissed him with all the longing and love that was pumping through my veins and silently willed him to drink from the well and refresh our love.

I got bolder as he kissed me back. I felt myself soar as he pushed me against the counter and finish the undoing of my house dress, my fingers found and undid the clasp of his slacks, unzipped the zipper, and pulled him free from the folds of his boxers.

It was a glorious feeling to know he wanted me and when he spread my legs further and he entered my wet haven I cried out with both joy and need.

"Baby I missed you so much," I sighed as I matched each of his strokes and thrust for thrust. When I climaxed I let him know how much I love him with my words and kisses.

I wanted him to speak, to return my sentiments and I had to restrain myself from clinging him to as he pulled out of me. I just moved and handed him the hand towel before I fix my house dress and waited for the storm.

I should have left him alone. I screamed silently to myself.

He did not speak until he was dressed.
"So what's for dinner? The appetizer was amazing!"

I stared at him not knowing if I should laugh or cry. I open my mouth to speak but nothing came out. I watch as he limped his way closer to me and caress my cheek.

"Claudia I love you so much."

My heart leaped with joy.

"I love you too Lowel and I want you to know that nothing, absolutely nothing will change that. You're my soulmate." I told him. "I can't fathom what the war has done to you and I understand it's not an easy transition now that your back home but we have you and all we want is for us to be a family again."

"I want nothing else, "he replied looking lovingly into her eyes and as joy radiated through her she saw the blue depths darken with a mischievous twinkle. "Well to be honest I do want something else....to make love to you again."

I giggled; stepped closer to him and whispered against his lips.

"Who is stopping you?"

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I hope you enjoy this short story Soulmate where Claudia and Lowel show that love can triumph over tragedy, where circumstance does not have to break you but make you.
Please comment⌨ and vote⭐.
I appreciate you even reading this❤.
Lots of love birdeyze💕

Short Story 2➡️